A few years ago, I realized that I was thinking about dental care all wrong. Instead of listening carefully to my dentist and making the necessary changes, I assumed that he was ultimately responsible for making sure that my teeth stayed healthy. Unfortunately, I developed a few serious cavities because I failed to properly brush and floss my teeth, and I knew that it was my fault. I decided to start taking notes at my dental checkups and carefully abiding by the dentist's orders. The difference was almost miraculous. This blog is all about working with your dentist to improve your result.

Working With My Dentist

Dental phobia is a common problem in the United States, and experts estimate that up to 15 percent of the American population avoids going to the dentist because of this fear. Dental phobia can occur for many reasons, but the dentist's drill is a common cause of anxiety. Learn how some dentists use lasers during treatment, and find out how this type of dentistry can help people with dental phobia get the treatment they need.

Although Celiac disease is mainly a disease of the small intestine, if left untreated, it can cause damage to many areas of your body -- including your teeth. Celiac disease happens when your body mistakes gluten for an allergen and takes action accordingly. Common symptoms include bloating, weight loss, and diarrhea. But advanced symptoms of this painful disorder also include the formation of yellow, brown or white spots on the teeth, pitting of the enamel, banding, deformed enamel formation and teeth that appear translucent.

If you have scheduled an appointment with your oral surgeon to start the dental implant process, then you have probably been informed that healing will need to occur for some time after the initial root is secured. Part of healing involves the formation of new bone cells around the implant root. As new cells build, they attach directly to the implant root and secure it in place. You will need to be patient as this process takes place.

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses toxic drugs to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs can inadvertently damage your healthy cells, too. Healthy cells throughout your body can be damaged, including the ones inside your mouth. This can lead to a variety of distressing oral side effects which may make it difficult to keep wearing your dentures; here are three side effects that chemotherapy patients with dentures should be prepared for.

There are a number of reasons why you may have a discolored tooth. You may have bruised the tooth, giving it a grey or blackish tint. You may have delayed having a cavity filled, which can alter the exterior color of the tooth. Or you may have a permanent stain that bleaching and other teeth whitening methods can't lift.
Having a tooth that is yellow, brown or black can make you self conscious when you open your mouth or smile—and if your other teeth are shiny and white, you may feel like the tooth stands out like a sore thumb.